French Air Force A400M Breaks Cover

The first Airbus Military A400M Atlas airlifter in the colors of the French Air Force has broken cover in Seville.

MSN7 will be the first A400M to be delivered to an air arm when it gets handed over in the second quarter of this year. France should take delivery of three A400Ms this year, while the Turkish Air Force is also due to get a single example later in the year.

The image shows a squadron badge just in front the main cockpit entry door. This badge appears to be that of the French Air Force's military trials unit, known as CEAM.

The A400M's appearance comes as France's air transport fleet is heavily tested with the air bridge to support its forces now fighting in Mali. French Air Force C-160 Transalls, C-130 Hercules and Airbus A340 aircraft have been tasked with strategic transport of men and equipment while CN235s are flying intra-theater according to reports. Fortunately, some of the heavy effort will be taken up with the arrival of British and Canadian C-17s and the addition of C-130s from Belgium and a single C-130J from Denmark.